Straightening machine



Jan. 21, 1941.

C. DlDDEN STRAIGHTENING MACHNE Filed Feb. 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l 'l T: III ii I1 M5 ,4r roms/5,45

Jan. 21, 1941. Q DIDDEN 2,229,496

STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Jan. 21, 1941.

C. DIDDEN STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fry i 1 e 2 f rae: 6A, w /m/ A/ 7 @MM Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT orricE 18 Claims.

My invention relates to straightening machines, particularly machines for straightening rods, tubes or other work of circular cross-section. Its principal objects are to devise a machine which will straighten work of constant or varying diameter; which will straighten work having upset ends without damaging the upset portions; which will provide for manually or automatically opening and closing the straightening rolls; and, which is rapid in operation, simple in construction and will prevent injury to the machine or work piece due to careless operation. Further objects will appear in connection with the accompanying description and drawings. The invention consists in the straightening machine and in the construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like refer-ence numerals refer to like parts wherever they occur,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a straightening machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in vertical section of the straightening machine,

Fig. 3 is an end View of the rod straightening machine,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal longitudinal section on line 4--4 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on line 5--5 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section on lines 6--6 in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. '7 is a vertical section on line 'I-l in Fig. 1.

My straightening machine comprises a suitable supporting frame Work including a base portion l with legs 2 at the corners thereof and uprights 3 and 4 at the front and rear ends thereof and longitudinal tie rods 5 connecting said uprights at the upper corners thereof. The machine is provided between the front and rear uprights thereof with two spaced tiltable oppositely driven straightening rolls 6 and 'I that are disposed crosswise of said machine in the opening defined by the base, uprights and tie rods thereof. The rear roll 6 is longitudinally concave and is disposed between and crosswise of the forwardly vextending branches of a horizontal yoke or bracket 8 having a central horizontal stud 9 that projects rearwardly from the closed end of said yoke and is journaled in a horizontal opening provided therefor in the rear upright 4 of the machine. This stud extends beyond the rear face of the rear upright Where it is provided with a nut I Il, this nut, together with the closed end or base of the yoke, preventing endwise movement of said yoke while permitting rotary movement thereof. The rear roll 6 is Xed to a supporting shaft II which is journaled in suitable bearings provided therefor in the branches ofthe yoke8 and is connected at one end by a universal joint tting I2 to a suitable drive shaft (not shown). 'I'he front roll 'I is a cylindrical roll with slightly tapered ends and is disposed between and crosswise of the branches of a horizontal yoke or bracket I3 that opens towards the rear yoke 8 and has a horizontal pivot stud I4 similar to and in axial alinement with the pivot stud 9 of said rear yoke. The pivot stud `I4 of the front yoke I3 projects from the base or closed end thereof and is rotatably supported in a horizontal opening provided therefor in a crosshead I5, the base of the yoke bearing against the rear face of said crosshead and the stud Id of said yoke being provided with a nut I6 that bears against the front face of said crosshead, whereby said yoke is mounted for rotary but non-sliding movement in said crosshead. The roll 'I is rigid with a supporting shaft II that is journaled in the branches ofi the yoke I3 and is connected at one end by a universal joint fitting I8 to'a driving shaft (not shown).

The two working rolls 6 and 'I are independently set at the proper working angle to the work piece A that is drawn between and straightenedr by said rolls. The setting or adjusting means for the rear roll 6 comprises a vertical screw I9 that passes freely through a vertical hole in one of the tie rods 5 and has an eye 2li at its lower end that is disposed between and is pivoted by a horizontal pin 2| to a pair of upstanding lugs 22 on the rear yoke 8. This screw has a hand wheel 23 threaded thereon that seats on the tie rod, whereby rotation of said wheel moves said screw vertically and rocks the yoke 8 about the axis of its stud 9 as a center and thus changes the angular position of the roll 6 carried by said yoke. A similar arrangement is provided for tilting the roll 1. This arrangement comprises a vertical screw 24 having aneye 25 at its lower end that is disposed between and is pivotally connected by a horizontal pin 26 to a pair of upstanding lugs 2l on the yoke i3. The screw 2A is slidable through a hole in a ball 28 mounted in a socket in the free end of a bracket 29 fixed to the crosshead I5; and said screw is raised and lowered by means of a hand wheel 39 threaded thereon and seating on top of said ball.

The crosshead I5, which pivotally supports the supporting yoke I3 for the roll 1, is supported for sliding movement towards and away from the roll 6 in horizontal slideways 3l in the framework of the machine and is actuated by two space parallel horizontally disposed rods or shafts 32 that are disposed longitudinally of the machine and have rotary but non-axial sliding connections at their rear ends with said crosshead on opposite sides of the pivot stud I of said yoke. Each of said connections preferably comprises a collar 33 xied to the end of the rod or screw 32 and rotatable in a cylindrical recess or bearing 34 provided therefor in the front face of the crosshead I5 and a steel retaining plate 35 sleeved on said rod and removably secured to said face of said ycrosshead. A hardened steel disk seated in the bottom of the recess 34 takes in forward thrust of the rod end retained therein. The forward end portion of each rod is rotatably and slidably supported in suitable bearings 31 provided therefor in a horizontal yoke or bracket 38 whose other end is removably secured by cap screws 39 to the front face of the front upright 3 of the framework. Each rod extends through a horizontal opening provided therefor in the front upright 3 and is threaded to receive an internally threaded sleeve 48 that is slidable in a bushing 4I in said opening and is provided forwardly of said upright with an integral stop collar 42 and rearwardly of said upright with a removable stop collar 43.

The two rods 32 are simultaneously rotated in the same direction by a relatively long pinion 45 interposed between and intermeshed with two gears 46 fixed to the respective rods. The pinion 45 is mounted on and rigid with a horizontal shaft 41 that is journaled in suitable bearings 48 provided therefor in the lbracket. 38 and is rotated by a hand wheel 49 Xed to said shaft forward of said bracket. The sleeves 40 are prevented irom rotating on the respective rods 32 by means of a crosshead 5i! that connects the forward ends of said rods. Each sleeve extends through a horizontal opening in the crosshead 5i) and is non-rotatably held therein by a set screw 5I, relative endwise movement between .the rod and crosshead being prevented by the stop collar 42 of said sleeve and a collar 52 threaded on the front end thereof in abutting relation to the front face of said crosshead.

Located forwardly of the front upright 3 of the machine is an upright arm 53 Whose lower end is pivotally supported in a bracket 54 fixed to the front face of said upright below the rod connecting crosshead 50. The arm 53 is adapted for vertical swinging movement towards and away from the front face of the upright 3 and extends upwardly from its supporting bracket 54 between spaced outstanding lugs 55 on the front face of the crosshead 50 and is pivotally connected to said lugs by means of a horizontal pivot pin 56. The upper end of the arm 53 is pivotally connected, as at '51, to the outer end of the rod `#58 of a piston 58 that works in a iiuid pressure cylinder 5t. This cylinder is disposed longitudinally of the machine and has diametrically opposed outstanding horizontal trunnions 1I journaled in pedestal bearings 12 disposed one on each side of said cylinder and seated on and removably secured to a shelf 13 provided therefor at the top of .the front upright 3.

Air or other fluid pressure is supplied to the opposite ends of the tilta'ble cylinder S0 through flexible conduits 14 leading from a suitable rotary control valve 15 mounted on the upstanding arm of a bracket 16 clamped to one of the tie rods 5 of the machine, air being supplied to said valve through a conduit 11 leading thereto from a suitable source of supply (not shown). The control valve is actuated to supply air to either end of the air cylinder 6D by means of a valve lever 18 having a counterweight 19 at the upper end thereof.

The valve supporting bracket 16 has a dep-ending arm 80 on which is supported a lever 8 I. This lever is pivoted, as at 82, for vertical swinging movement in the direction of travel of the work piece or rod A being straightened and has its upper arm connected by a link 83 to the valve lever 18. The lower arm of the lever terminates at .its lower end in a downwardly opening fork 84 through which the work piece A moves as it passes between the two straightening rolls. However, any portion of the work piece, such as the upset end A1 thereof, of larger Idiameter than the distance between the branches of the fork 84 of the lever 8|, will abut againstO said fork and actuate said lever.

The above described straightening machine operates as follows:v The rod that is to be straightened is placed between the two straightening rolls 6 and 1 and the hand wheel 49 rotated to obtain the desired spacing of said rolls, the two shafts or rods 32 being rotated in the sleeves 40 by the pinion 45 and gears 45 and also shifted axially due to their threaded engagement with said sleeves, thereby causing the crosshead I 5 connected to the inner ends of said rods to move in its slide and shift the supporting yoke I3 for the roll 1 towards or away from the roll 6. The

rolls are then set at the proper working angle to the ro-d by manipulating the two hand wheels 23 and 30. The Valve lever 18 is then set to supply air to the front end of the cylinder 60, whereby the arm 53 controlled by said cylinder operates through the crosshead Eil! that connects the r.

sleeves 45 to hold the roll 1 in adjusted position. /Vth the parts thus adjusted the rolls may be gradually opened without use of the hand wheel adjustment 49 merely by reversing the position of the Valve lever 13, thereby supplying pressure :z

to the rear end of the air cylinder 6I) and thus swinging the arm 53 in a direction that will cause the roll 1 to move away from the roll 6. lVhen straightening rods with enlarged or upset end portions, such portions abut against the forked lower end 84 of the lever 8| which shifts thev valve lever 18 to a position that will cause roll 1 to move away from the roll l before such portions of the rods reach said rolls, thereby permitting such portions to pass between the rolls without i damage to the rods or rolls. After the upset portion of the rod passes between the rolls, the rolls may be quickly again set in operative position by operating the valve lever 18.

The advantages of my invention are numerous. #i

My device may be used to straighten rods of constant diameter or varying diameter. If the diameter of a rod varies, it is a simple matter to move the hand wheel controlling the gear train, and ultimately the rolls. the operator will not damage the machine as the automatic tripping arrangement releases the pressure when an enlarged portion starts jto enter the rolls. Furthermore, should the automatic pressure release fail to work, the pressure against the rolls caused 'by an upset portion of the rod would move the straight roll yoke, crosshead, and adjusting rods against the pressure arm, moving it against the air pressure in the cylinder and forcing some of the fluid back into the line.

Obviously, modifications may be made and I do not want to be limited to the precise construction shown.

What I claim is:

1. A straightening machine comprising two H rotary straightening rolls adapted to receive therebetween a work piece to be straightened, manually operable means for adjusting one of said rolls towards and away from the other roll, `which means includes a part in position to bear Negligence on the part of against a fixed portion of said machine and thereby limit the movement of the adjustable roll towards the other roll, and uid pressure operated means for holding said adjustable roll in the desired position of manual adjustment.

2. A straightening machine comprising two rotary straightening rolls adapted to receive therebetween a work piece to be straightened, means for manually moving one of said rolls towa'rds and away from the other roll, and fluid pressure operated means for releasably holding said movable roll in the desired position of manual adjustment and means for releasing the fluid pressure, said releasing means having a member located alongside of the work piece in position to be actuated by an enlarged portion thereof.

3. A straightening machine comprising two rotary straightening rolls adapted to receive therebetween a work piece to be straightened, manually operable means for adjusting one of said rolls towards and away from the other roll, and fluid pressure operated means, yieldable under a predetermined pressure of said work piece against said rolls, for holding said adjustable roll in the desired position of manual adjustment.

4. A straightening machine comprising two rotary straightening rolls adapted to receive therebetween a work piece to be straightened, manually operable means for adjusting one of said rolls towards and away from the other roll, which means includes a part in position to bear against a fixed portion of said machine and thereby limit the movement of the adjustable roll towards the other roll, and fluid pressure operated means yieldable, under a predetermined pressure of said work piece against said rolls for holding said adjustable roll in the desired position of manual adjustment, saidfluid pressure operated means being operable to move said adjustable roll towards and away from said other roll.

5. A straightening machine comprising two straightening rolls` adapted to receive between them a work piece to be straightened, fluid pressure operated means for adjusting one of said rolls towards and away from the other roll, manually operable control means for said fluid pressure operated means, and means operably connected to said manual control means and operable by a portion of the work piece of larger diameter then the space between said rolls in the operative position thereof to actuate said control means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move said adjustable roll far enough fo away from said other roll to permit said portion of large diameter to pass between said rolls.

6. A straightening machine comprising two straightening rolls adapted to receive between them a work piece to be straightened, fluid presy: sure operated means for adjusting one of said rolls towards and away from the other roll, control means for said iluid pressure operated means, and means operable by a portion of the work piece of larger diameter than the space between said rolls in the operative position thereof to actuate said control means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move said adjustable roll far enough away from said other roll to permit said portion of large diameter to pass between said rolls.

7, A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a member slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said member, meansv for manually actuating said member, an

arm pivotally connected tosaid frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement of said member and operatively associated i with the manually operable means therefor, and a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame for actuating said arm.

8. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a member slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said member, an arm pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement of said member and operatively connected to said member to actuate the same, and a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame for actuating said arm.

9. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a member slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said member, means for manually actuating said member, an arm pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement of said member and operatively connected to the manually operable means therefor, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame, and a piston in said cylinder having a rod pivotally connected to the free end of said arm to actuate the same.

10. A straightening machine comprising .a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, means for manually actuating said crosshead, an arm pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement of said crosshead and operatively connected therewith through the means for manually actuating said crosshead, a iiuid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame, a piston in said cylinder and having a rod pivotally connected to the free end of said arm to actuate the same, and a manually yoperable valve for controlling the admission of fluid to either end of said cylinder.

11. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll-rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, means for manually actuating said crosshead, an arm pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement of said crosshead and operatively connected therewith through the manual actuating means therefor, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame, and a piston in said cylinder having a rod pivotally connected to the free end of said arm to actuate the same, a manually operable valve for controlling the admission of fluid to the opposite ends of said cylinder, a lever pivotally mounted on saidframe with one arm operatively connected to said control valve and with another arm located in advance of the work receiving end of said roll and adapted to be actuated by a portion of a work piece of larger idiameter than the space between said rolls in the operative position thereof to actuate said lever to thereby operate said valve to move said piston and the arm control thereby in a direction that will slide said Vcrosshead in a direction that will move the roll thereon away from the other roll far enough to permit the larger portion of said work piece to pass between said rolls.

12. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidable in said `frame towards and .away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a manually rotatable shaft mounted in said frame for rotary and axial sliding movement and having rotary but non-axial sliding connection at one end with said crosshead, and a sleeve mounted in said frame for axial `sliding but nonrotary movement and through which said shaft is threaded.

13. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a shaft mounted in said frame for rotary and axial sliding movement and having rotary but non-axial sliding connection at one end with said crosshead, a sleeve mounted in said frame for axial sliding but non-rotary movement and through which said shaft is threaded, a drive shaft journaled in said frame parallel with said first mentioned shaft, intermeshing gears on said shafts, and a hand wheel on said drive shaft.

14. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, Ia crosshead slidable in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a shaft mounted in said frame for rotary and axial sliding movement and having rotary but non-axial sliding connection at one end with said crosshead, a sleeve mounted in said frame for axial sliding but non-rotary movement and through which said shaft is threaded, an arm pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of' sliding movement of said crosshead, and operatively yconnected to said sleeve, a `uid pressure cylinder mounted on said frame, and a piston in said cylinder having a rod pivotally connected to the free end of -said arm to actuate the same.

15. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidabl'e in said frame towards and away from said straightening roll transversely thereof, a straightening roll roftaftably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a shaft mounted in said frame for .rotary and axial .sliding movement and having rotary but non-axial sliding connection at one end with said crosshead, a sleeve mounted in said frame for axial sliding but non-rotary movement and through which said sha-ft is threaded, a drive shaft journaled in said frame parallel vwith said `first men'tioned shaft, lin'termieshirrg gears on said shafts, a han'd wheel on said drive shaft, .an arm .pivotally connected to said frame for swinging movement in the direction of sliding movement ltowards and away from said straigliteninfgzroll transversely thereof, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a pairof spaced parallel shafts mounted in said frame and having rotary but non-am'al sli ing connections at one end with said crosshead,

a pair of sleeves mounted for axial sliding movement in said frame and through which the respective shafts are threaded, a cross connection between said sleeves preventing rotation thereof, a drive sha-ft journaled in said frame be'tween said pair of shafts, a hand wheel on said drive shaft, a pinion on said drive shaft, and gears on said pair of shafts iritermes'hing with said pinion.

17. A straightening machine comprising a frame, a straightening roll Arotatably mounted on said frame, a crossh-ead slidable in said frame towards land away Vfrom said straightening roll transversely thereof, -a straightening roll rotatably mounted on and movable with said crosshead, a pair of spaced parallel shafts mounted in "said frame and having rotary but non-axial sliding connections .at one end with said crosshead, a. pair of sleeves mounted for aXi-al sliding movement in said frame and 'through which the respective shafts Vare threaded, .a cross `connection between s-aid sleeves preventing rotation thereof, a drive `shaft journaled in said frame between said `pair of shafts, a hand wheel on said drive shaft, a pinion on said drive shaft, and gears on said pair of shafts intermeshing with said pinion and fluid pressure operated means cooperating with the cross connection between said sleeves for sliding them axially.

18. A straightening machine comprising :a frame, a straightening roll rotatably mounted on said frame, a crosshead slidable in said' frame towards and away from said straightening roll ytransversely thereof, .a straightening roll rotatably mounIted on and movable with said crosshead, a pair of spaced parallel shafts mounted in said frame vand having rotary but non-axial sliding connections at one end with said crosshead, a pair .of sleeves mounted for axial sliding movemenlt in said 4frame :and through which the respective shafts are threaded, -a cross connection between sai-d sleeves preventing rotation thereof a drive shaft journaled in said frame between said :pair `of shafts, a hand wheel on said drive shaft, a pinion on said drive shaft, and gears on lsaid pair of shafts intermeshing with said pinion and fluid .pressure operated means cooperating with the cross connection between said sleeves for ,sliding them axially, said vmeans comprising an 

